Too much Filip and his need for female companionship. He is a loose cannon and takes up too much screen time. We are off and running with a realization that this is the last season and the forces will finally clash in an epic ending. That said, it seemed like there was some plodding here. I look forward to moving forward. By the way, Naomi often gets on my nerves.
33 Reviews
An ok episode, slow start
Turanic10 December 2021
I don't know how many episodes are left until the end, but judging by how slow the episode is they are acting as if it's not the story finale... Now don't get me wrong this is a decent episode overall, but it's more like a filler with character build-up, problem is we had enough character build-up in previous 2 seasons, I just hope it doesn't go Naomi and her son route again, seriously, this should have been action packed to the teeth by now...
Strange Dogs tease...no way this ends here.
grinningelvis10 December 2021
This episode cleverly bobs and weaves through so many plot points with an air of mystery - and dread - still intact. But with the inclusion of Laconia's "strange dogs", it seems rather obvious now that a huge cliffhanger is coming instead of a "series finale." This is the second time the series has hinted at ships going "dutchman", and this slow burn season opener from Shankar sets up more madness than it does resolution.
Is Holden Sick?
CX78-I20 January 2022
We deserve more seasons
DonB-510 December 2021
A 6 episode season? Massive story compression will occur and that is a huge disservice to fans. Reminds me of the "brains" who cancelled Star Trek TOS after 3 years. This is the best sci-fi out there and the penny pinchers are wrecking it.
By the way - the rush to judgement on Cas Anvar leaves me flat. What ever happened to presumed innocence?
By the way - the rush to judgement on Cas Anvar leaves me flat. What ever happened to presumed innocence?
Great return to the best Sci Fi show around
anthonypaull102910 December 2021
Once again, blown away by the writing, acting and visuals. Can't wait to see where the season goes. Let's hope for a satisfying conclusion and for the show to be picked up again in a few years for the final 3 seasons!
Great start but feels too sad and a bit slow
namob-4367311 December 2021
The best Scify show of all time continues to deliver more magnificent entertainment. This is not a perfect 10 though, the episode have a bit of pacing issue and a couple of minor misses such as the journalists or the bad acting from Jasai Chase Owens - I hope they kill off his character. It is also pretty clear they are setting things up with this episode, which is fine but as said it also create some pacing issues.
The rest is amazing as usual. I am starting to feel like I am loosing a great friend with this show on its last leg. In a big sea of subpar tv shows and horrible movies this has been a shining star, something to cling on to and something to point to whenever some masked and injected moron ask for something better to watch than Batwoman.
This is how you do great TV. Even if they do not nail the landing, this is still now and forever the benchmark for all entertainment and the top dog to beat comes to scify. I hope we get a spin-off!
This is a strong 8 / 10 and highly recommend of course.
The rest is amazing as usual. I am starting to feel like I am loosing a great friend with this show on its last leg. In a big sea of subpar tv shows and horrible movies this has been a shining star, something to cling on to and something to point to whenever some masked and injected moron ask for something better to watch than Batwoman.
This is how you do great TV. Even if they do not nail the landing, this is still now and forever the benchmark for all entertainment and the top dog to beat comes to scify. I hope we get a spin-off!
This is a strong 8 / 10 and highly recommend of course.
If you could film the term "hamfisted characterisation", this'd be it.
j-bruns12 December 2021
The people who wrote this episode made it through film school, that's for sure.
So they set every little plot thread up with a "relatable situation", instead of going "I am sad". But the effect is the same.
These scenes serve only to demonstrate how broken, or sad, or angry, or desperate each character is. Nothing else. And it's painfully obvious too.
I hope this is the end of that, and it'll get better from here.
So they set every little plot thread up with a "relatable situation", instead of going "I am sad". But the effect is the same.
These scenes serve only to demonstrate how broken, or sad, or angry, or desperate each character is. Nothing else. And it's painfully obvious too.
I hope this is the end of that, and it'll get better from here.
The Board Is Set
cmmzcfid10 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This did everything it needed to; Established Laconia's progression, Earth's slow death and the united Belt...
... but way more importantly every character feels stretched and conflicted, and the episode deftly sets a brooding tone. You can feel the exhaustion with the Roci's crew. The Boredom with Macro. The sense of futility with Avasarala.
Enjoyed it.
... but way more importantly every character feels stretched and conflicted, and the episode deftly sets a brooding tone. You can feel the exhaustion with the Roci's crew. The Boredom with Macro. The sense of futility with Avasarala.
Enjoyed it.
A solid start but i wonder if this is truly the end
Nagitokomeda10 December 2021
Its no secret that the Expanse is apparently ending without adapting the final 3 books in the saga. That leaves this season in an awkward place where it seems to be attempting to end the story, while also setting up the plot from books 7-9. This episode was good but it felt very rushed in terms of its pacing and some characters (such as Naomi) acted slightly out of character in an attempt to force plot/conflict/character development with so few episodes left.
This was a good start but I really hope this wasn't the sixth last ever episode of this amazing show.
This was a good start but I really hope this wasn't the sixth last ever episode of this amazing show.
Holden doesn't understand War
Fargomoviecritic31 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
What a disappointment when James couldn't pull the trigger. He is a coward and will cost thousands of lives due to his incompetence. In War you need to take out the leader. You can't flinch when you have a chance of stopping or at least making the enemy disorganized. When you flinch you put the lives of exponentially more people at risk. Don't be a leader if you can't make the hard choices. Great episodes to show ho much James is a wuss. Filip killed many people and James wants to save him? What and get a break and not go to prison? If he lives he should be brought to justice.
On another note, this does show both sides of what happens in War.
On another note, this does show both sides of what happens in War.
Poor script
lahilaastravnar25 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Six episodes for a series, and the first wasted in chit-chatting and existential problems of characters that look for any occasion to polemize about nothing.
Where is the science fiction, where are the action, the sense of wonder and the epic? Poor details about all is outside the dumb mind of characters. Time wasted.
Really bored by Naomi, Inaros and all their relatives.
Philip with motivational crisis, Naomi (!?) trys to devide the crew, Holden shuts down an engine hitting (!?) It with a wrench.
Psychology of characters altered to create polemic.
Avasarala ends telling what she's looking for, all that the episode lacks, a plot and action.
Poor script indeed.
I fear the right final season will be considered the fourth one.
Prime is touching a really low point in this period, imho.
A really disappointed fan.
Where is the science fiction, where are the action, the sense of wonder and the epic? Poor details about all is outside the dumb mind of characters. Time wasted.
Really bored by Naomi, Inaros and all their relatives.
Philip with motivational crisis, Naomi (!?) trys to devide the crew, Holden shuts down an engine hitting (!?) It with a wrench.
Psychology of characters altered to create polemic.
Avasarala ends telling what she's looking for, all that the episode lacks, a plot and action.
Poor script indeed.
I fear the right final season will be considered the fourth one.
Prime is touching a really low point in this period, imho.
A really disappointed fan.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
abysz-2302010 January 2022
Like 3/4 of season 5, the chapter is filled with too much generic melodrama, and 5% to 10% of some relevant content. Everyone is either sad, or depressed, or irritated or irritable. Naomi tries her best to be absolutely unbearable in every scene.
Ufff ... I watched all the seasons, and I plan to finish the series, but it doesn't make it easy for me.
Ufff ... I watched all the seasons, and I plan to finish the series, but it doesn't make it easy for me.
Guys relax, it's The Expanse we're talking about
pianologyify20 December 2021
This episode's not nearly as bad as a lot of the reviewers are making it out it be. I mean yeah we get to see a lot of Marko and Filip, it would suck if they didn't build on the villain characters. They have motive, relation to the protagonists, their own grievances and moral dilemmas. They are both really well crafted. The fact that they are annoying shouldn't be a negative, we're meant to hate them.
I thought it was a solid opener, with some great suspense and understandable dread and sense of hopelessness in our characters. All the "good guys" were either pissed off or exhausted, having fought a battle uphill for months, which I think sets up the final season really well and is something I haven't seen before, at least not in space.
It's fine that this episode wasn't the most action packed, we're supposed to get eased in to it. Although I do agree with some on here that the pacing was a bit off here and there. But the visuals, dialogue, score, acting and overall cinematography more than made up for that. It's a gorgeous series, always has been. The Expanse is in its own league for sure. Great fkn episode, can't wait to see more.
I thought it was a solid opener, with some great suspense and understandable dread and sense of hopelessness in our characters. All the "good guys" were either pissed off or exhausted, having fought a battle uphill for months, which I think sets up the final season really well and is something I haven't seen before, at least not in space.
It's fine that this episode wasn't the most action packed, we're supposed to get eased in to it. Although I do agree with some on here that the pacing was a bit off here and there. But the visuals, dialogue, score, acting and overall cinematography more than made up for that. It's a gorgeous series, always has been. The Expanse is in its own league for sure. Great fkn episode, can't wait to see more.
This episode was amazing, but I can't shake my fears
wellscharlie-3080312 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was great. It was an amazing episode of The Expanse, but something felt off. The scale is bigger than ever and the story is complex and eye-opening. We get a cold opening of a young girl on the planet Laconia where she is surrounded by alien life and we get this shot of a weird dog looking creature with a bum for a face. It was so good. But then it hit me. We are dealing with the main story in our system with all our main characters: Chrisjen, Drummer, Amos, Bobbie, Holden, Naomi, Marcos, Filip, Clarissa, and now we have this "Laconia" story to consider? The show doesn't feel like it's ending, and with only 5 episodes left I'm worried they won't be able to satisfyingly conclude a show as amazing as the Expanse. I haven't read the books, but I know they have a huge time skip, and my only hope at this point is that Amazon have the heart to give The Expanse a trilogy it deserves to completely fulfill the amazing narrative James S. A Corey have crafted. I'm hopeful for Season 6, but I can't shake my fears.
I know this isn't really a review, but from what I've seen on the internet since the premieres release my words here have been spoken through the mouthes of many fans, frightened that their favourite show won't end well. We still have 5 episodes, and without a doubt they will be an incredible viewing experience, but right now the show doesn't give the impression that the Roci crew are getting ready for their final ride, and, honestly... I'm almost hoping they aren't. But please, nothing is certain, end the show well. Give us the satisfying conclusion we crave, and give The Expanse one of the best endings in TV history. This ain't GoT, it's better.
I know this isn't really a review, but from what I've seen on the internet since the premieres release my words here have been spoken through the mouthes of many fans, frightened that their favourite show won't end well. We still have 5 episodes, and without a doubt they will be an incredible viewing experience, but right now the show doesn't give the impression that the Roci crew are getting ready for their final ride, and, honestly... I'm almost hoping they aren't. But please, nothing is certain, end the show well. Give us the satisfying conclusion we crave, and give The Expanse one of the best endings in TV history. This ain't GoT, it's better.
One of the finest...
songod-9500318 January 2022
One of the finest science fiction shows and I have seen a whole lot of them. "Westworld" ranks as one as well.
Both these series' are well written, well acted, with only a few of the usual TV wtf's here and there.
This is only ep one of the final season. My only fear is this show will take an easy way out like so many epic shows have in the past and leave us PO'd.
Here's hoping no!
Both these series' are well written, well acted, with only a few of the usual TV wtf's here and there.
This is only ep one of the final season. My only fear is this show will take an easy way out like so many epic shows have in the past and leave us PO'd.
Here's hoping no!
Last season, facing pacing issues
MoistMovies10 December 2021
Just like the season before did, half of it was well done and the other was to much time spent on rather pointless dialogue and melodrama on characters such as Naomi, Flip or Marco, in what felt like filler way to often.. A significant change from previous seasons.. Marcos over acting, repetitive talking points and many other things were no executed well last season, only 3-4 great ap
Well
I truly hope things pick up significantly next episode.. But with only six 40 min episodes I get the feeling of being slow and then rushed or being left on a cliffhanger is very likely...(the rest of runtime is around 7-9 mins of recap, intro and credits.) And even in this slow episode with the precious time left for the entire series since its getting cancelled and clearly with a only 6 episode final season.. The Prime masters who did save the show but hardly advertised it..
.... we could've used a lot less tantrums from Filip. He's also not a Great actor in my person opinion... Unless he's always supposed to look slightly confused
Having not read the books, but watched the entire series 4 times.. And knowing the time skipcoming up (no idea what happens after the jump but its been impossible to avoid coming across this in any report of the series being cancelled.. Again.. , They should have recast Alex just for this season and then recast him and all the crew post time skip. As much as I think Amos is currently perfect for his role. Same as bobby or Drummer.. etc. With a great casting department they could find people who look the parts and could act them too. But instead, one of the greatest scifi shows ever made is getting canned.. I hardly use Prime, I might just give it up after the expanse is done.
I truly hope this season is masterful. And that amazon come to their senses.
.... we could've used a lot less tantrums from Filip. He's also not a Great actor in my person opinion... Unless he's always supposed to look slightly confused
Having not read the books, but watched the entire series 4 times.. And knowing the time skipcoming up (no idea what happens after the jump but its been impossible to avoid coming across this in any report of the series being cancelled.. Again.. , They should have recast Alex just for this season and then recast him and all the crew post time skip. As much as I think Amos is currently perfect for his role. Same as bobby or Drummer.. etc. With a great casting department they could find people who look the parts and could act them too. But instead, one of the greatest scifi shows ever made is getting canned.. I hardly use Prime, I might just give it up after the expanse is done.
I truly hope this season is masterful. And that amazon come to their senses.
Evereyone is pi**ed in space
christianschumann11 December 2021
Finaly the Expanse is back - for me without a doubt the best Sci Fi series of the last five years (havent seen Foundation or raised by Wolves yet). I was realy looking forward to this, but this episode didn't work for me.
The start is pretty strange, a short scene on Laconia, and a short scene with Bobby and Chrissi - both are not followed up on in the episode. Especially what is going on on Medina and Laconia is now of interest - we only have 6 episodes, damn it...We mainly see the rocinante and the various belter fractions, and all three groups now consist mainly of misearble characters, Amos and Peaches being the only exceptions. There were always episodes (or whole seasons), in which one of the main characters was a bit hard to swallow, especcially Jim and Naomi, but now they are both at the same time. And there is no Alex to lighten things up. Sure, these are hard times, but still no need for this permanent personal drama at this level. And this is worse with Marcos group and Drummers ship. This all together makes it a bit hard to sit through the episode to be honest. The DramaSoapOeraMeter doesn't hit Star Trek Discovery levels by any means, but it still feels like to much. The situation on drummers ship is also presented in a strange manner, we have that little drama with the girl that ruined the mission, but there is no follow up on that. This all feels a bit rushed, and especially the editing and pacing was problematic for me.
This is by no means a bad hour of television, but just not the start that I hoped for.
The start is pretty strange, a short scene on Laconia, and a short scene with Bobby and Chrissi - both are not followed up on in the episode. Especially what is going on on Medina and Laconia is now of interest - we only have 6 episodes, damn it...We mainly see the rocinante and the various belter fractions, and all three groups now consist mainly of misearble characters, Amos and Peaches being the only exceptions. There were always episodes (or whole seasons), in which one of the main characters was a bit hard to swallow, especcially Jim and Naomi, but now they are both at the same time. And there is no Alex to lighten things up. Sure, these are hard times, but still no need for this permanent personal drama at this level. And this is worse with Marcos group and Drummers ship. This all together makes it a bit hard to sit through the episode to be honest. The DramaSoapOeraMeter doesn't hit Star Trek Discovery levels by any means, but it still feels like to much. The situation on drummers ship is also presented in a strange manner, we have that little drama with the girl that ruined the mission, but there is no follow up on that. This all feels a bit rushed, and especially the editing and pacing was problematic for me.
This is by no means a bad hour of television, but just not the start that I hoped for.
Decent start to the season
jp-20611 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
So I've been looking forward to season six for a long while, even after not really enjoying season five. I figured they'd bring the series back around after ending the whole Naomi's family drama and would hopefully get back to the core of the story.
They're getting there.
The first episode of season six was good. I find Avasarala and Bobbie the most engaging. Amos and Peaches are great and I'm fine with Peaches on the Roci. Holden and Naomi are alright, though honestly I'm finding Naomi to be an unlikeable character right now, to the point of I really don't care about her troubles, her feelings, or her storyline. There's nothing sympathetic about the character. And we apparently can continue the Naomi crying drinking game. I can't get beyond her line to Amos, "you need to be somewhere else right now". What is she going to do? Hurt Amos? Shoot him? Cry? Screw something else up and just hand the solar system to Marcos? There's no longer anything to like about the character.
Filip is a mess. The actor is horrible to the point that it's distracting from the storyline. Marcos is still trying to look like Prince.
Now Drummer and family are engaging. I'm interested to see what happens there.
The first scene in the forest obviously foreshadows something coming up, hopefully in this season instead of a cliffhanger for the series, since season six is suppose to be the last.
The visuals are impressive. They've definitely put a lot of money, thought, and energy into the visuals and the cinematography is amazing. I was always impressed with the technology interaction; there seemed to be much more detail in displays and HUDs and the like than there was in previous seasons.
Overall a solid start with room for improvement. I won't mind if they space Filip in the next episode.
They're getting there.
The first episode of season six was good. I find Avasarala and Bobbie the most engaging. Amos and Peaches are great and I'm fine with Peaches on the Roci. Holden and Naomi are alright, though honestly I'm finding Naomi to be an unlikeable character right now, to the point of I really don't care about her troubles, her feelings, or her storyline. There's nothing sympathetic about the character. And we apparently can continue the Naomi crying drinking game. I can't get beyond her line to Amos, "you need to be somewhere else right now". What is she going to do? Hurt Amos? Shoot him? Cry? Screw something else up and just hand the solar system to Marcos? There's no longer anything to like about the character.
Filip is a mess. The actor is horrible to the point that it's distracting from the storyline. Marcos is still trying to look like Prince.
Now Drummer and family are engaging. I'm interested to see what happens there.
The first scene in the forest obviously foreshadows something coming up, hopefully in this season instead of a cliffhanger for the series, since season six is suppose to be the last.
The visuals are impressive. They've definitely put a lot of money, thought, and energy into the visuals and the cinematography is amazing. I was always impressed with the technology interaction; there seemed to be much more detail in displays and HUDs and the like than there was in previous seasons.
Overall a solid start with room for improvement. I won't mind if they space Filip in the next episode.
Waning!!!
conjamcar13 December 2021
If Marcos and his horny little son are causing chaos in the universe, it doesn't say much for the universe. It just isn't believable. I've said this before, the script does not match the significance of the events that are happening in this show. Appalling destruction and death, and we have to watch Filip get his jiggy on???? What starting out as a good sci-fi, has gone in to warp speed decline.
This is not the end, not even the beginning of the end...
ouzolanguidy17 December 2021
As a fan of all the currently published books it is obvious this season's pace means we are going to go only a short way into the book series and end at the point just before the time skip. The show runners seem more interested in setting the show up for someone else to pick up than actually coming to a conclusion. Some of the stuff on Laconia for example has no way of concluding at this rate, and so people need to realise they are watching scenes that will only make sense in a few years time if the series gets picked up by another network. So enjoy the ride but be ready for a cliffhanger ending folks.
STRANGE DOGS INDEED
douglasjordane22 December 2021
UT OH! OR SHOULD I SAY RUT ROH? I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE EXPANSE SCI-FI SERIES ENDING. HOWEVER, MAKING MARCO INAROS THE MAIN CHARACTER THEME OF THE SEASON 6 FINALE STORY/PLOT WILL CERTAINLY KILL MY INTEREST IN THIS OTHERWISE AMAZING STORY.
I GUESS THAT THE WRITERS AND DIRECTORS RAN OUT OF CONTENT BEFORE THEY RAN OUT OF STORYBOARDS. THE WAY THIS FINAL SEASON IS UNFOLDING SEEMS STRANGELY ODD AND IRRELEVANT. MOREOVER, EPISODE 1's STRANGE TITLE IS RIVALED BY AN EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE STORY OF BELTERS THROWING GIANT ROCKS AT EARTH AND THE ALL POWERFUL FREE NAVY'S TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SOCIETY IS UNABLE OF BEATING THIS SUPERIOR WEAPONRY.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MYSTERIOUS FORCE OF THE PROTOMOLECULE BEING THE MENACE AND THE INTRIGUE OF THE UNFORGETTABLE BOOK SERIES. THAT IS WHAT MADE THE SERIES GREAT AND STRANGELY MAGNIFICENT! INAROS IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN ANNOYING SCI-FI ROMANCE TURNED GLOBAL WARFARE. DID I MISS SOMETHING? OR IS THIS THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY WISH TO KILL THE SHOW? 6.5 STARS.
I GUESS THAT THE WRITERS AND DIRECTORS RAN OUT OF CONTENT BEFORE THEY RAN OUT OF STORYBOARDS. THE WAY THIS FINAL SEASON IS UNFOLDING SEEMS STRANGELY ODD AND IRRELEVANT. MOREOVER, EPISODE 1's STRANGE TITLE IS RIVALED BY AN EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE STORY OF BELTERS THROWING GIANT ROCKS AT EARTH AND THE ALL POWERFUL FREE NAVY'S TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SOCIETY IS UNABLE OF BEATING THIS SUPERIOR WEAPONRY.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MYSTERIOUS FORCE OF THE PROTOMOLECULE BEING THE MENACE AND THE INTRIGUE OF THE UNFORGETTABLE BOOK SERIES. THAT IS WHAT MADE THE SERIES GREAT AND STRANGELY MAGNIFICENT! INAROS IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN ANNOYING SCI-FI ROMANCE TURNED GLOBAL WARFARE. DID I MISS SOMETHING? OR IS THIS THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY WISH TO KILL THE SHOW? 6.5 STARS.
Weak Opener
GlenKru11 December 2021
A weak opening episode where not much happens. In my opinion the show and storyline have never been as good since Amazon took over. Seasons 1-3 remain the best. Marco Inaros is not a great character, definitely no Anderson Dawes, and that is the primary problem I think. Perhaps this is why Amazon are ending the show, as even they have realised the magic from seasons 1-3 has gone.
I gave it a try
gerwinbraun22 December 2021
It went downhill in season 5 in my opinion. Main reason for this were far to slow pacing plot holes were you cold fly trough a Donnager Battleship and too many Naomi scenes.
I hate to blame the actress cause she seems like a nice lady, but her character is annoying af. The character is not well written and the actress lacks the carisma to make up for it. This wouldnt be a big deal if she were a side character, but she isnt. And even as a main character she is getting way to much screentime.
This is what made me hate season 5 and it doesnt look like its getting better.
Holden gets more 1 Dimensional and boring each episode i feel. Amos and Avarsarala are my favorite characters and are the saving grace for this show.
Now to Naomis family... Marco and Filip are like Naomi not well written in my opinion. Marco is at least okay portrayed by the actor.
Filip is annoying as Hell just like his mother.
For me a continuation of the bad season 5.
I hate to blame the actress cause she seems like a nice lady, but her character is annoying af. The character is not well written and the actress lacks the carisma to make up for it. This wouldnt be a big deal if she were a side character, but she isnt. And even as a main character she is getting way to much screentime.
This is what made me hate season 5 and it doesnt look like its getting better.
Holden gets more 1 Dimensional and boring each episode i feel. Amos and Avarsarala are my favorite characters and are the saving grace for this show.
Now to Naomis family... Marco and Filip are like Naomi not well written in my opinion. Marco is at least okay portrayed by the actor.
Filip is annoying as Hell just like his mother.
For me a continuation of the bad season 5.
Nothing happened
benntune14 December 2021
Nothing happened in this episode. Literally nothing of consequence. Bad acting and time filling. This is the last season...they should be struggling to fit everything into every episode. At least Game of Thrones attempted to wrap things up by condensing 3 seasons of action and storylines into one (albeit poorly). This is not a good start. I hope it picks up and quickly, as it's running out of time (and maybe budget going by this episode).
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